New England Patriots links 8/18/25 – Pats-Vikings breakdown; O-line still in flux

TEAM

TALK

• Post Game Notes: Patriots-Vikings. Chism III leads the team in receiving for second-straight week.
• Evan Lazar‘s After Further Review: Breaking down QB Drake Maye, the rookies and more.
• Evan Lazar‘s Game Observations: 8 takeaways From the preseason win over the Vikings. 2. QB Drake Maye plays two series, drops back weven times (4-of-6, 46 Yards). More!
• Post Game Quotes: Patriots.
• Press Conferences:
  Mike Vrabel – Drake Maye – TreVeyon Henderson.
• Highlights: Patriots at Vikings. (6 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Doug Kyed tells us what we learned from the Pats’ preseason win vs. the Vikings. Best: RB Treveyon Henderson, WR Efton Chism, CB Carlton Davis III, Return teams, OLB Anfernee Jennings. /Click for notes.
• Mike D’Abate shares five takeaways from Patriots at Vikings: TreVeyon Henderson electrifies the offense. Borregales vs. Romo is a hot competition. Anfernee Jennings back in the game? More.
• Alex Barth offers nine takeaways from the Patriots’ second preseason game: Maye starts shaky, rebounds; Defensive front creates havoc; Carlton Davis returns; Vets on the bubble; More.
• Mark Morse gives us the good, bad and ugly of Saturday’s win in Minnesota. The ugly: Offensive line, Garrett Bradbury, the kickoff team, Javon Baker and the defense. /Ouch.
• Andrew Callahan identifies one big question left for the Patriots after 2 preseason games: What’s to be done about the offensive line?
• Mark Daniels talks about the starting offensive line competition taking a surprising turn.
• Ethan Hurwitz picks 3 winners and 3 losers from the preseason Week 2 win.
• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Jabrill Peppers looking to bounce back in 2025; Drake Maye drew praise from Mike Vrabel for his mental toughness; Kyle Dugger’s status; Efton Chism’s charge; Kayshon Boutte’s bounce back; Backup QB; OT Marcus Bryant’s rise; /More.
• Steve Balestrieri‘s Sunday Patriots News: Observations on the Patriots win. ‘The energy and physicality were there again, which is a positive. …It wasn’t perfect, far from it…and yes Virginia, the Vikes didn’t play their starters. But in Mike Vrabel’s team-building process, the team went on the road for the first time and bonded over some tough practices and a preseason game.‘ /More.
• Steve Balestrieri projects the 53-man roster: Chism’s work on that second-quarter drive just about cemented his spot on the roster… What about Dugger, Jennings?
• Alex Barth updates his roster projection after two joint practices and the team’s Week 2 preseason game. Pats keep 4 RBs: JaMycal Hasty makes it in.
• Phil Perry offers his own 53-man roster projection: Chism claims his spot; Dugger drops
• Mike D’Abate relays Eliot Wolf clarifying Stefon Diggs’ status.
• Doug Kyed highlights Mike Vrabel explaining why veterans Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings played deep into the preseason.
• Michael Hurley reports WR Kyle Williams left Saturday’s preseason game with an apparent head injury.
• Andrew Callahan notes that according to former captain Devin McCourty, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores told him their defense was “blown away” by TreVeyon Henderson. The rookie RB is expected to push Gibson and Stevenson for significant touches this season.
• Doug Kyed reports how rookie WR Efton Chism comes to the facility at 5 a.m. to meet with WRs coach Todd Downing. Chism also previously said he spends time with veteran receiver Mack Hollins late after practice to continue going through the playbook.
• Karen Guregian tells us it’s safe to believe the hype when it comes to Efton Chism III.
• Phil Perry notes new Patriots DT Milton Williams believes he and Christian Barmore can cause serious headaches for opposing offenses.
• Mark Daniels hears from Josh McDaniels on why Patriots fans should be excited for Drake Maye.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Patriots’ starting offense handles two drives at Minnesota.
• NFL Nation (ESPN) Preseason Week 2: Takeaways, analysis. Patriots 20, Vikings 12. Patriots: Undrafted free agent WR Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington) might have solidified his spot on the roster with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The TD was a 12-yard catch-and-run on third-and-9 in which he evaded and/or broke tackles from six defenders. /Click for more.
• Mike Kadlick (SI) 5 Patriots players who impressed during preseason win over Vikings.
• Report (AP) Patriots beat Vikings as rookies Henderson and Chism each record another preseason TD.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Ranking NFL’s top three defensive lines, secondaries in ’25: Giants loaded up front; Texans make both lists! No Pats.
• Nathan Jahnke (PFF) Preseason Week 2 game recap. Patriots-Vikings included.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Scouts Notebook: Ranking NFL’s top three defensive lines, secondaries in ’25: Giants loaded up front; Texans make both lists! No Pats.
• Karl Rasmussen (SI) DE Trey Hendrickson trade: NFL insider names three teams interested in Bengals star. No Pats.
• Garrett Podell (CBS Sports) QB Joe Milton remains a project.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) A week ago, Jerry Jones said of acquiring QB Joe Milton, “I have to pinch myself.” Now, Jerry may want to punch himself. Or someone else.